“But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, ‘What do we? For this Man doeth many miracles. If we let Him thus alone, all will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.’
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, ‘Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.’
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” John 11:46-53
Nation
NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 (KJB)
That is nothing that is inconsistent with His character, or Person. There is nothing too hard for God to accomplish.
The prophet Jeremiah stated that “…there is nothing too hard for Thee…” (Jeremiah 32:17) and the the LORD Himself asks the prophet; and not for information; “…is anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). It is just to make it clear for the reader’s observation that there is nothing too hard for the LORD. With God nothing shall be impossible.
When a priest named Zechariah entered the temple too old to have children and with a wife too old to have children and is told he will have son who will be the herald who will usher in the Messiah “Nothing shall be impossible with God”. When Zechariah does not believe and he is told he will be mute until his son is born “Nothing shall be impossible with God”.
When the virgin Mary is told she will have a son without a man, then “Nothing shall be impossible with God”.
When God sets out to save the Nation of Israel “Nothing shall be impossible with God”. When God sets out to save the Gentile world “Nothing shall be impossible with God”.
When God set out to save you, “Nothing shall be impossible with God”.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
The Eyes of the Lord GOD
“Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.” Amos 9:8 (KJB)
“eyes … upon the sinful kingdom — that is, I am watching all its sinful course in order to punish it (compare Amo_9:4; Psa_34:15, Psa_34:16).
not utterly destroy the house of Jacob — Though as a “kingdom” the nation is now utterly to perish, a remnant is to be spared for “Jacob,” their forefather’s sake (compare Jer_30:11); to fulfil the covenant whereby “the seed of Israel” is hereafter to be “a nation for ever” (Jer_31:36).” From the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary
“The guilty will certainly be punished. If they enter the sacred place of worship, even that will not shelter them, Amo_9:1. Flight and concealment will be in vain. Let them climb ever so high, or burrow ever so deep; let them scale the loftiest hills, or dive into the deepest seas-the consequences of their sins will overtake them, Amo_9:2-3. How can sinners hope to escape from Him whose chambers are built in the heavens and whose voice governs the tides, Amo_9:6? The great desolations of the past prove the exactness and severity of His judgments, Amo_9:7-8. How remarkably Amo_9:9 has been fulfilled? Notwithstanding their scatterings, the Hebrew people have been preserved as a race.
The final paragraph, Amo_9:11-15, is very reassuring. It is a burst of noble anticipation, quoted by the Apostle James, Act_15:14-17. The promises made to Abraham and David are yet to be fulfilled. The derision of their foes, of whom Edom was the ringleader, will be silenced. Through the parted curtain, we descry the golden age of the future. There is a divine plan working to its conclusion, and Israel shall yet come again to the land given to their fathers.” From THROUGH THE BIBLE DAY BY DAY with F. B. Meyer for Amos 9:1-15
Catch the Foxes Which Hinder a Good Marriage
Song of Solomon 2:1-17,
“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Songs 2:15 (KJV) Also see John 10:10
With there being deceptions and lies concerning marriage and love in our society and culture it is needful, even necessary for the Church of Jesus Christ, and every individual Christian to stand firm on God’s definition of Marriage, and His meaning of love.
It is my conviction that the Home and Marriage is the beginning or the end of a Nation or a society of people. When marriages fail so will society and nations. “As goes the home/marriage; so goes the nation.”
There are hindrances to a good marriage. These can be the children, and the job, or career, school activities, failure to build your marriage and home upon the foundation of Christ and His word.
So what can be done to keep a marriage strong. Let us look at four ideas from Solomon’s Song of Songs;
- Be sure; even make it a habit to praise, and adore and admire one another verbally (vv. 1-3).
- Be sure to make yourself accountable to one another, and to another; who is not of the opposite sex; so as to maintain a holy lifestyle (vv. 4-7).
- Be sure to make time for one another… Have some alone time.. Go to the “clefts of the rock” and get away together (vv. 8-14)
- Be sure that within marriage you have a sense of belonging… “I am my beloveds, and he is mine”
- This is an addition to the original post… Make God the primary Person of your marriage.
You are not your own. You are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ must be the bedrock of your marriage and home.
I was running short on time this morning so I wanted to share this with you.
Christmas Day Forty Six
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want to always desire the best of God, and His Son for my family, my friends, my neighbors, any who might be my enemy; and for my Nation (the U. S. of A.) and her leaders, and those yet to come.
Christmas Day – 110
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want to live in a land, a nation, a country where everybody loves everybody, a place where people are helping each other when they are in need; I want to live in a place where everybody loves GOD, His Savior, His law, His Word, and everyone walks with Him; and when we do the latter the other happens.
Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Forty and Two
“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jeremiah 18:7-10 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want our Nation’s (U. S. of A.) people and leaders to know that this life we live, the rulers who rule are actually overruled by God; because this life is not about “Me”; it is in fact about Him, His love, His mercy, His grace; and He has paid a redemption price by the gift of the life of His Son Jesus, that all who will believe on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life; and this is true for all the people of the world as well.
Christmas Day Two Hundred and Twelve
What do I want for Christmas?
Since this is Memorial Day weekend I want us to remember all those who gave their lives protecting this nation, and our freedom, beginning with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – the Ultimate Freedom giver who willingly went to the cross to pay our sin debt, who was buried carrying all of our sin, iniquities, transgressions, shame, guilt, condemnation away; then rising bodily, victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:19-20 (KJV)
Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Nine
What do I want for Christmas?
We in the U. S. of A. live in a once free nation; free from monarchy, free from tyranny, free to speak, free to believe the Scriptures, and to practice our faith; but since those freedoms and others are eroding I want our leaders, President, Vice President, the Senate, Congress; their spouses to know that they are not kings and queens; that they are not higher than the people; but that they are servants to the people – the legal citizens – of the United States of America, and no other nation or league of nations.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” PREAMBLE OF THE United States of America
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. The LORD looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.” Psalm 33:12-16 (KJV)
Day Two Hundred Eighty and Nine
Everyday is Christmas – What do I want for Christmas?
I want to put my complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the problems I personally face, for the problems of my family, and the problems of our Nation (the U. S. of A.); to realize that our trust must be in Him alone, not in politics or any political, deceptive so called leader.
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” Isaiah 31:1 (KJV)
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118:9
Day Three Hundred Thirty and Five
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the leaders of our Nation (U. S. of A.) to lead, not rule; to be godly, not ungodly; to deny themselves any special privileges, but to only allow themselves the rights and privileges of the people; that the people might respect, love, and honor those who serve with distinction.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)
Day Three Hundred Thirty and Nine
What do I want for Christmas?
I want GOD to show Himself strong in and through me that others may see what is going on in me is GOD. In this I also desire that it be so of my family, friends, neighbors, my community, State, Nation, and the world.
Help me, O LORD my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, That they may know that this is Your hand—That You, LORD, have done it!” Psalm 109:26-27 (NKJV)
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9a
Day Three hundred and Fifty
What do I want for Christmas?
I want a righteous man to be the President of the United States of America. One who loves God, loves God’s Word, loves God’s people called Christian, and loves righteousness, justice, and peace.
When we have a godly, righteous leader, through Christ Jesus we will be blessed again.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)
What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 351
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the lotteries in our States and Nation to cease. They are, in the end a tax on the poverty stricken people of the nation, through the deceit and lust for more.
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”” Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
Nation Shall Not Lift Up Sword Against Nation
“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Isaiah 2:1-5 (KJV)
We are looking at the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet of Israel. At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy the nation was in a state of sinful rebellion against the Lord; and comfortable in their sin. They, the nation in general, had a pretense for worshipping God, but they enjoyed their other gods as well.
This prophecy of Isaiah is concerning a yet future event. What he speaks of has not yet happened. It will. Not one word of the LORD which He has spoken shall fail to come to pass.
What the prophet speaks of is what the LORD has spoken to him of. A day when people of all nations shall go to Jerusalem, and worship. To some extent we are able to see a precursor to this “Last days” event. There are many tourists which go to Jerusalem every year. Many Christians, Jews, and other religions find it to be a valued journey.
The day which Isaiah writes is one yet to come. It will be a day of peace. The prophet speaks of swords being beaten into plowshares; and spears into pruninghooks. In other words, “No more wars”.
How can this be? Many a world leader, and many a national leader have sought to bring peace, and utopia to the world; mostly by world conquest; yet to no avail. How will there be peace on earth? Because the Prince of Peace; the One who died for the sins of the world will come again, put an end to all evil; there will be no more murder, no fraud, no drug abuse, no AlQueda, no ISIS, no religion dominating the world by fear and dread. Evil will be put away.
Jesus will reign supremely from His throne in Jerusalem. All nations will flow into it, and they will bow before Him and worship.
To be a part of that, the best time to begin is now. Call on the name of the crucified, buried, and resurrected Jesus Christ, confess your sins to Him, and repent, and He saves you by His grace from the guilt, and condemnation of your sins.
The Prophet Cries Aloud
The following was a post by Jack Woodard on Facebook. It is so true:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1]
“Preach the Word; be instant (diligent) in season, out of season…” [2 Timothy 4:2]True Prophets never wait to be asked for a comment when it comes to the sins of their people and their Nation, they are quick to make sure the Lord’s Authoritative Voice is heard. America should not be waiting on a Prophet to cry out against the open and blatant sins and sinners among us. There is no more pitiful sight than to see our Nation overrun with Bold Sinners and our Pulpits filled with Timid Preachers.
~Jack Woodard
Preach it Jack.
T.A.
When the Righteous Rule
The wisdom of Solomon in the Proverbs has formerly said,
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:14
and that is so evidently true in many cases of nations and people. It is true of Israel, England, and the United States of America; and any other nation which has had righteous rule. The writer of Proverbs also states;
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2 (KJV)
Many professing Christians believe that this nation is about to come under the judgment of God because of unrighteous rule, and unrighteous laws, and unrighteous deeds. However, that is just not the case; we have unrighteous rule, unrighteous laws, and unrighteous deeds, because the judgment of God is already on us. It is not coming it is here.
We have been a nation [USA] which has lived comfortably, leisurely, and selfishly. And, without much thought of how God’s hand was on us without pride, and greed having a upper hand in it.
The people of a nation led by righteous authority do rejoice; there are more freedoms with self control, generosity, caring, sharing, and loving. Righteousness equals right judgments in situations of law, court judgments in cases of crime, and injustice. Righteousness is doing that which is right according to what God says; not what man says is right. Righteousness knows right from wrong; and yes there is right and wrong.
When the wicked rule there is unrighteousness, fear, injustice, greed, religious zeal without fear of God or consequences of unrighteous acts.
When there is wicked men who rule a nation; that does not mean that Christian men and women cannot be righteous in their conduct. It is the time for men and women of God to shine the righteousness of Christ to a world in darkness; to our nation in darkness. No politician can save this nation from ruin. According to the unrighteous prophets of our day, things will get better, economically; but morally, and legally things will worsen, and get darker. It is time for the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to shine.
Shine down YOUR righteousness O LORD. Shine Jesus Shine. One day we know YOU will come and rule; then, that will truly be WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS RULE.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Note: In my commentary above I have written, “According to the unrighteous prophets of our day, things will get better, economically; but morally, and legally things will worsen…” I was not meaning to say that the unrighteous prophets believed things would worsen morally, and legally; but that is my thoughts.
Mark Ten – One Through Twelve
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE QUESTION AS A TRAP FOR JESUS.
“1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Mark 10:1-12 (KJV)
This question and answer is a very important one for the 21st century and all centuries ahead. How we view marriage will affect the society and culture we live in. When God and His Word are honored, obeyed, and heeded then love and respect for others will be prominent in the marriage, home with the children and in governments.
Though this question is put to Jesus to trap Him, it is one Jesus answered, and no other answer is valid, but that of Jesus. Always looking for a way out, instead of a way to improve, or to make a relationship better; is a cowards way. The best way is not the easy way, and because something is hard does not make it the wrong way. Let no one think that God approves of divorce and remarriage. As a matter of fact He still hates it.
In Matthew’s account (19: 3); the Pharisees came to Jesus and asked the question this way, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” In asking the question it shows what mentality the Pharisees were of. It was the belief and practice of that day that a man could “Put away” [divorce] his wife for what ever reason he desired. If she burnt the toast one morning he could divorce her. If she looked cross eyed at him he could give her a writing of divorce, and send her hiking out the door of his home.
Here is what the Old Testament says of this,
“When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. Deut 24:1-2 (KJV)”.
The idea of this law was to protect the woman from a life of torment, loneliness, and poverty. Jesus said, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.” Mark 10:5 . The “God idea” of marriage was one woman, one man, for a lifetime. Due to the sin in mankind’s heart God gave provision for divorce.
We must remember that by Old Testament law adultery was punishable by death. Any man or woman found guilty of adultery was subject to public stoning, unto death. Who ever, for no reason other than a “want” of change divorces their spouse and marries another is guilty of “adultery”. That is the message Jesus is giving to these Pharisees. Thus, showing them the fallacies of their beliefs, and teachings that divorce was okay, no matter the reason. It is important for us in this day to remember what God says in Malachi about divorce;
“Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” Mal 2:15-16 (KJV)
J. C. Ryle gives us three rules for marriage,
“The first is to marry only in the Lord, and after prayer for God’s approval and blessing. The second is not to expect too much from their partners, and to remember that marriage is, after all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels. The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another’s sanctification. The more holy married people are, the happier they are. “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify it.” (Eph. 5:25, 26.)”
Let us strengthen our nation, our cities, and our churches by strengthening our faith in God, and His Word; and let’s begin at home in our marriages by loving our spouse with the heart of God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Much, For Which To Be Thankful
We hear everyday how bad this nation is economically. How many people are without jobs. The numbers of people who are without health care. The crimes in the nation. These are bad, and some of it is down right evil.
Let us give some thought today for that in this country for which we ought to be grateful.
First of all let’s be grateful to our Creator who has allowed such a great nation even come to be. He has not only allowed it to be but put it in the hearts of the men and women who were inspired by His Spirit to be free from a tyrannical government. Men and women who risked there lives at sea, and in coming to a new land.
Let’s thank God our Savior for inspiring Liberty, freedom, and caring for others without government aid. Let’s be thankful for the men who have fought the enemy for these past 232 years to keep us free and at times helped give other nations freedom as well. Freedom is the gift of our Creator, inspired through hearts of men who give their lives as our Savior has said,
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (KJV)
And we have had many a soldier lay down their lives to protect and to keep us from the harm of the enemy. In the beginnings of this country soldiers were farmers, doctors, lawyers, blacksmiths, etc. who laid down their lives for their neighbors, families and friends. Many soldiers today come from such families. Thank you men and women of the United States of America who have risked life, limb, and economic status, for the freedom of the USA.
You may be one today who has found yourself without an income; had your home foreclosed on; and lost everything you had. Be grateful that you still live in the land of the free, the home of the brave; and take a bold step forward, and thank the Lord above for the gift of freedom. There is so much for which we can be grateful.
Family, friends, associates in the workplace, the air we breathe, the ground upon which we walk. There is no place on earth like the United States of America. Where else is there where people want to get, rather than get out of it.? Thank God for the struggle of immigration. Most of our families were immigrants who came here from Europe or some other place.
Health care is available to all. It is not free, nor should it be. Let’s be thankful for the doctors and nurses, and all medical personnel who work long days and nights just to provide health care to people who are in need. Thank you.
You can finish it from here. I pray that I have inspired you today to see some things for which to be thankful in this God blessed nation; even with all that is wrong within it. There are still some things that are right.
May God continue to bless America.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 